Backplane for electrically coupling modular information handling resources to one or more other information handling resources

ABSTRACT

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a backplane for electrically coupling modular information handling resources to one or more other information handling resources, may include a printed circuit board, a first plurality of slots, and a second plurality of slots. The printed circuit board may have a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first plurality of slots may be mounted to the first surface and the second plurality of slots may be mounted to the second surface, such that each of the second plurality of slots are offset from an adjacent slot of the first plurality of slots in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the first surface and each of the second plurality of slots are rotated approximately 180 degrees from an adjacent slot of the first plurality of slots.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to modular information handling systems.More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure provide systems andmethods for a chassis drawer for providing access to modular informationhandling resources for addition and/or removal of such modularinformation handling resources.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Oftentimes, information handling systems and other information handlingresources (e.g., storage devices, input/output devices, and otherperipheral devices) are each manufactured in a modular form factor andmay be configured to be disposed in a chassis configured to receive suchmodular components. Such a chassis and its component modular informationhandling systems and information handling resources typically includevarious rails, carriers, and other mechanical components allowing for aperson to add and remove the modular information handling systems andinformation handling resources from the chassis. In traditional modularsystems, information handling resources (including hard disk drives) andtheir corresponding chassis bays, are typically accessed from a side ofthe chassis in which the information handling resources may be added orremoved. However, because access may be limited to the periphery of thechassis, such an architecture may limit the density of modularcomponents that may be disposed in a chassis.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, thedisadvantages and problems associated with traditional approaches toaccessing modular information handling resources in a chassis have beensubstantially reduced or eliminated.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a drawer forreceiving components may comprise an inner member, and intermediatemember, and a carrier member. The inner member may include twosubstantially planar and generally parallel opposite inner member sidesdefining a drawer height and a substantially planar inner member bottomgenerally perpendicular to the inner member sides and defining a drawerwidth. The intermediate member may be mechanically coupled to the innermember such that the intermediate member is configured to slide relativeto the inner member in a direction generally perpendicular to the drawerheight and the drawer width. The carrier member may be mechanicallycoupled to the intermediate member such that the carrier member isconfigured to slide relative to the inner member and the intermediatemember in a direction generally perpendicular to the drawer height andthe drawer width. The carrier member may comprise a substantially planarcarrier member top generally parallel to the inner member bottom, asubstantially planar carrier member bottom generally parallel to thecarrier member top, a carrier spine mechanically coupled between thecarrier member top and the carrier member bottom, a plurality of bays,each bay having one or more structural components for receiving amodular information handling resource and configured such that the bayis accessed for insertion or removal of the modular information handlingresource via a carrier member side of the carrier member generallyparallel to the inner member side, and at least one web generallyparallel to the inner member sides and mechanically coupling the carriermember to the intermediate member such that when the drawer istranslated to an open position, each of the plurality of bays isaccessible.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an information handling system may include a chassis and adrawer for receiving components, comprising. The drawer may comprise aninner member, and intermediate member, and a carrier member. The innermember may be fixedly coupled to the chassis and include twosubstantially planar and generally parallel opposite inner member sidesdefining a drawer height and a substantially planar inner member bottomgenerally perpendicular to the inner member sides and defining a drawerwidth. The intermediate member may be mechanically coupled to the innermember such that the intermediate member is configured to slide relativeto the inner member in a direction generally perpendicular to the drawerheight and the drawer width. The carrier member may be mechanicallycoupled to the intermediate member such that the carrier member isconfigured to slide relative to the inner member and the intermediatemember in a direction generally perpendicular to the drawer height andthe drawer width. The carrier member may include a substantially planarcarrier member top generally parallel to the inner member bottom, asubstantially planar carrier member bottom generally parallel to thecarrier member top, a carrier spine mechanically coupled between thecarrier member top and the carrier member bottom, and a plurality ofbays, each bay having one or more structural components for receiving amodular information handling resource and configured such that the bayis accessed for insertion or removal of the modular information handlingresource via a carrier member side of the carrier member generallyparallel to the inner member side, and at least one web generallyparallel to the inner member sides and mechanically coupling the carriermember to the intermediate member such that when the drawer istranslated to an open position, each of the plurality of bays isaccessible.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method mayinclude mechanically coupling an intermediate member to an inner member,wherein the inner member comprises two substantially planar andgenerally parallel opposite inner member sides defining a drawer heightand a substantially planar inner member bottom generally perpendicularto the inner member sides and defining a drawer width, and theintermediate member is mechanically coupled to the inner member suchthat the intermediate member is configured to slide relative to theinner member in a direction generally perpendicular to the drawer heightand the drawer width. The method may also include mechanically couplinga carrier member to the intermediate member such that the carrier memberis configured to slide relative to the inner member and the intermediatemember in a direction generally perpendicular to the drawer height andthe drawer width, wherein the carrier member comprises a substantiallyplanar carrier member top generally parallel to the inner member bottom,a substantially planar carrier member bottom generally parallel to thecarrier member top, a carrier spine mechanically coupled between thecarrier member top and the carrier member bottom, a plurality of bays,each bay having one or more structural components for receiving amodular information handling resource and configured such that the bayis accessed for insertion or removal of the modular information handlingresource via a carrier member side of the carrier member generallyparallel to the inner member side, and at least one web generallyparallel to the inner member sides and mechanically coupling the carriermember to the intermediate member such that when the drawer istranslated to an open position, each of the plurality of bays isaccessible.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a backplane for electrically coupling modular informationhandling resources to one or more other information handling resources,may include a printed circuit board, a first plurality of slots, and asecond plurality of slots. The printed circuit board may have a firstsurface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The firstplurality of slots may be mounted to the first surface and the secondplurality of slots may be mounted to the second surface, such that eachof the second plurality of slots are offset from an adjacent slot of thefirst plurality of slots in a direction parallel to a plane defined bythe first surface and each of the second plurality of slots are rotatedapproximately 180 degrees from an adjacent slot of the first pluralityof slots.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a backplane for electrically coupling modular informationhandling resources to one or more other information handling resources,may include a printed circuit board, a first plurality of openings, afirst plurality of slots, a second plurality of openings, and a secondplurality of slots. The printed circuit board may have a first surfaceand a second surface opposite the first surface. The first plurality ofopenings may be formed in the first surface and the first plurality ofslots mounted to the printed circuit board within the first plurality ofopenings. The second plurality of openings may be formed in the secondsurface and the second plurality of slots may be mounted to the printedcircuit board within the second plurality of openings.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a system may include a structural member, a release latch,and a slider. The structural member may define at least a portion of abay for receiving an information handling resource. The release latchmay be mechanically coupled to the structural member. The slider may beslidably coupled to the structural member and mechanically coupled tothe structural member by an ejection spring with an ejection springforce configured to bias the slider in a first position relative to thestructural member in absence of a force other than the rejection springforce. The slider may configured to, when the information handlingresource is inserted into the bay, slide relative to the structuralmember in a direction opposite the ejection spring force and away fromthe first position and engage with the release latch, such that whenengaged with the release latch, the slider is biased in a secondposition away from the first position.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an information handling system, may include a chassis and adrawer mechanically coupled to the chassis. The chassis may have aplurality of bays. Each bay configured to receive an informationhandling resource and each bay may include a structural member, arelease latch, and a slider. The structural member may define at least aportion of the bay. The release latch may be mechanically coupled to thestructural member. The slider may be slidably coupled to the structuralmember and mechanically coupled to the structural member by an ejectionspring with an ejection spring force configured to bias the slider in afirst position relative to the structural member in absence of a forceother than the rejection spring force. The slider may be configured to,when the information handling resource is inserted into the bay sliderelative to the structural member in a direction opposite the ejectionspring force and away from the first position and engage with therelease latch, such that when engaged with the release latch, the slideris biased in a second position away from the first position.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a method may include sliding a slider slidably coupled tothe structural member and mechanically coupled to the structural memberby an ejection spring with an ejection spring force configured to biasthe slider in a first position relative to the structural member inabsence of a force other than the rejection spring force, wherein thesliding is in a direction opposite the ejection spring force and awayfrom the first position, and wherein the structural member defines atleast a portion of a bay for receiving an information handling resource.The method may also include engaging the slider with a release latchmechanically coupled to the structural member, such that when engagedwith the release latch, the slider is biased in a second position awayfrom the first position.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a drawer for receiving components may include a caddy trayand at least one caddy. The caddy tray may include a substantiallyplanar caddy tray bottom defining a caddy tray depth and a caddy traywidth. The at least one caddy may be mechanically coupled to the caddytray via a hinge mechanically coupled to the caddy tray bottom such thatthe caddy pivots relative to the caddy tray about the hinge, the hingehaving an axis generally parallel to the caddy tray depth, the at leastone caddy having a plurality of bays, each bay having one or morestructural components for receiving a modular information handlingresource and configured such that the bay is accessed for insertion orremoval of the modular information handling resource when the at leastone caddy is pivoted from a closed position to an open position.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an information handling system may include a chassis and adrawer for receiving components. The drawer may include a caddy traycomprising a substantially planar caddy tray bottom defining a caddytray depth and a caddy tray width. The drawer may also include at leastone caddy mechanically coupled to the caddy tray via a hingemechanically coupled to the caddy tray bottom such that the caddy pivotsrelative to the caddy tray about the hinge, the hinge having an axisgenerally parallel to the caddy tray depth, the at least one caddyhaving a plurality of bays, each bay having one or more structuralcomponents for receiving a modular information handling resource andconfigured such that the bay is accessed for insertion or removal of themodular information handling resource when the at least one caddy ispivoted from a closed position to an open position. The drawer mayadditionally include a drawer cover fixedly coupled to the caddy tray.The drawer may further include a drawer sleeve fixedly coupled to thechassis and slidably coupled to the drawer cover, such that the drawercover slides relative to the drawer sleeve and such that when the draweris translated to an open position relative to the chassis and when theat least one caddy is pivoted from a closed position to an openposition, each of the plurality of bays is accessible.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a method comprising may include mechanically coupling acaddy tray to at least one caddy, wherein the caddy tray comprises asubstantially planar caddy tray bottom defining a caddy tray depth and acaddy tray width and the at least one caddy is mechanically coupled tothe caddy tray via a hinge mechanically coupled to the caddy tray bottomsuch that the caddy pivots relative to the caddy tray about the hinge,the hinge having an axis generally parallel to the caddy tray depth, theat least one caddy having a plurality of bays, each bay having one ormore structural components for receiving a modular information handlingresource and configured such that the bay is accessed for insertion orremoval of the modular information handling resource when the at leastone caddy is pivoted from a closed position to an open position.

Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art in view of the following specification,claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantagesthereof may be acquired by referring to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a chassis for receiving modularinformation handling resources, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example chassis drawer forreceiving modular information handling resources, the drawer in an openposition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example chassis drawer forreceiving modular information handling resources, the drawer in a closedposition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of selected components of thechassis drawer depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of selected components of anexample carrier member of the chassis drawer depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3,in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example center spine of thecarrier member depicted in FIG. 5, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of an examplebackplane for use in the chassis drawer depicted in FIGS. 1-6, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of another examplebackplane for use in the chassis drawer depicted in FIGS. 1-6, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of yet anotherexample backplane for use in the chassis drawer depicted in FIGS. 1-6,in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of selected components ofparticular embodiments of the example backplane depicted in FIG. 9, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the example backplane depictedin FIG. 9 implementing the particular embodiments depicted in FIG. 10,in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of selected components of otherparticular embodiments of the example backplane depicted in FIG. 9, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of selected components of yetother particular embodiments of the example backplane depicted in FIG.9, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of yet anotherexample backplane for use in the chassis drawer depicted in FIGS. 1-6,in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of selected components of thechassis drawer depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 for inserting and removing aninformation handling resource from an individual bay of the chassisdrawer, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 16-19 illustrate various perspective views of selected componentsof the chassis drawer depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 depicting insertion ofan information handling resource into an individual bay of the chassisdrawer, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of achassis drawer for receiving modular information handling resources, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an information handlingresource caddy for use in the chassis drawer depicted in FIG. 20, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates a side view of an information handling resourcecaddy for use in the chassis drawer depicted in FIG. 20, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a backplane for use in thechassis drawer depicted in FIG. 20, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 24 illustrates a block diagram of an example rail system for use ina modular chassis, as is known in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood byreference to FIGS. 1-23, wherein like numbers are used to indicate likeand corresponding parts.

For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system mayinclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, aninformation handling system may be a personal computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronic device, a network storagedevice, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape,performance, functionality, and price. The information handling systemmay include memory, one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additionalcomponents of the information handling system may include one or morestorage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating withexternal devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, suchas a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handlingsystem may also include one or more busses operable to transmitcommunication between the various hardware components.

In this disclosure, the term “information handling resource” may broadlyrefer to any component system, device or apparatus of an informationhandling system, including without limitation processors, busses,memories, input-output devices and/or interfaces, storage resources,network interfaces, motherboards, electro-mechanical devices (e.g.,fans), displays, and power supplies.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a chassis 100 for receivingmodular information handling resources, in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure. Chassis 100 may be an enclosure that servesas a container for various information handling systems and informationhandling resources, and may be constructed from steel, aluminum,plastic, and/or any other suitable material. Although the term “chassis”is used, chassis 100 may also be referred to as a case, cabinet, tower,box, enclosure, and/or housing. In certain embodiments, chassis 100 maybe configured to hold and/or provide power to a plurality of informationhandling systems and/or information handling resources. As depicted inFIG. 1, chassis 100 may include one or more drawers 102 for receivinginformation handling resources, as described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 2-6 depict various views of an example chassis drawer 102 forreceiving modular information handling resources, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspectiveview of an example chassis drawer 102 for receiving modular informationhandling resources, wherein drawer 102 is in an open position drawn fromchassis 100, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of chassis drawer 102 forreceiving modular information handling resources, wherein drawer 102 isin a closed position relative to chassis 100, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a perspectiveview of selected components of chassis drawer 102 depicted in FIGS. 2and 3, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of selected components of an examplecarrier member 108 of chassis drawer 102 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6illustrates a perspective view of an example center spine 120 of carriermember 108 depicted in FIG. 5, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, chassis drawer 102 may comprise an inner member104, an intermediate member 106 mechanically coupled to inner member104, and a carrier member 108 mechanically coupled to intermediatemember 106. Inner member 104 may be constructed from steel, aluminum,plastic, and/or any other suitable material. Although inner member 104may have any suitable size and/or shape, inner member 104 is depicted inthe embodiments of FIGS. 2-4 as having two substantially planar andparallel opposite sides defining a drawer height coupled to each otherby a substantially planar bottom generally perpendicular to the sidesdefining a drawer width and a guide flange extending from and runningperpendicular to and along the length of each side such that the flangesproject towards each other. In some embodiments, inner member 104 may bemechanically coupled to the internal mechanical structure of chassis100, such that inner member 104 is fixed relative to chassis 100.

Intermediate member 106 may be constructed from steel, aluminum,plastic, and/or any other suitable material. Although intermediatemember 106 may have any suitable size and/or shape, intermediate member106 is depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4 as having two generallyparallel and planar opposite sides coupled to each other by asubstantially planar bottom generally perpendicular to the sides. Theheight of the sides and the width of the bottom may be such that thecorresponding sides and bottom of inner member 104 provide a mechanicalguide for intermediate member 106 as chassis drawer 102 is opened andclosed. Intermediate member 106 may be mechanically coupled to innermember 104 via bearings and/or other mechanical components such thatintermediate member 106 may slide relative to inner member 104 in adirection perpendicular to the drawer height and drawer width defined byinner member 104. As shown in FIG. 4, intermediate member 106 may belimited in the distance it may be drawn from chassis 100 through anycombination of suitable structural elements. For example, in theembodiments represented by FIG. 4, translational movement ofintermediate member 106 from the chassis may be limited by flanges 146extending from the sides of intermediate member 106 and towards eachother and corresponding depressions 144 formed at the interior corner ofinner member 104 defined by a side and flange of inner member 104.Similarly, other mechanical components may restrict motion ofintermediate member 106 relative to inner member 104 as chassis drawer102 is translated from the open position to the closed position. Forexample, in the embodiments represented by FIG. 4, intermediate member104 may have one or more spring-loaded cams 148 mounted to the aninterior of the sides of intermediate member 104. As chassis drawer 102is translated from a closed position to an open position, a projectionof cam 148 may, as a result of spring force, engage with a correspondingopening 150 of a flange 146 of inner member 104. Accordingly, cam 148may lock the motion of intermediate member 106 relative to inner member104 until, upon translation of chassis drawer 102 from the open positionto the closed position, carrier member 108 or another component ofchassis drawer 102 engages with cam 148 to cause the projection of cam148 to disengage from opening 150, allowing intermediate member 106 toagain slide relative to inner member 104.

Carrier member 108 may be constructed from steel, aluminum, plastic,and/or any other suitable material. Although carrier member 108 may haveany suitable size and/or shape, carrier member 108 is depicted in theembodiments of FIGS. 2-5 as having a substantially planar top 114 and asubstantially planar bottom 116 generally parallel to each otherdefining a width and depth of carrier member 108, the top 114 and bottom116 mechanically coupled to each other by a carrier spine 120 defining aheight of carrier member 108, such that top 114 and bottom 116 aregenerally perpendicular to the sides of intermediate member 106. In someembodiments, carrier spine 120 may run a portion of the depth of carriermember 108 such that in such portion, carrier spine 120 is located atapproximately the center of the width of carrier member 108. Carriermember 108 may also include a face 110 mechanically affixed to top 114,bottom 116, and/or carrier spine 120. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, top 114 mayinclude one or more openings (e.g., above bays 112) allowing for gaseousfluid to pass through. Similarly, bottom 116 may also include one ormore openings (e.g., below bays 112) allowing for gaseous fluid to passthrough.

In some embodiments, face 110 may be substantially equal to the width ofcarrier member 108 and substantially equal to the height of carriermember 108. In these and other embodiments, face 110 may includehandles, pull tabs, and/or other features allowing a person to pull onface 110 in order to translate chassis drawer 102 from a closed positionto an open position in a direction generally parallel to the depth oftop 114 and bottom 116. In these and other embodiments, face 110 mayinclude a grill, vent, and/or other opening allowing gaseous fluid toenter and/or exit through face 110.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each side of carrier member 108 (e.g.,portions of carrier member 108 between the edges of top 114 and bottom116 and parallel to carrier spine 120) may include a web 130 configuredto mechanically couple carrier member 108 to intermediate member 106, aswell as openings for a plurality of bays 112. As shown in theembodiments represented by FIG. 4, web 130 of carrier member 108 mayhave openings 132 and 136 configured to engage with bearings 134 and138, respectively of intermediate member 106. Accordingly, openings 132and 136 may restrict movement of carrier member 108 relative tointermediate member 106.

Similarly, other mechanical components may restrict motion of carriermember 108 relative to intermediate member 106 as chassis drawer 102 istranslated from the closed position to the open position. For example,in the embodiments represented by FIG. 4, carrier member 108 may have acam 142 mechanically coupled to one or both of the opposite sides ofcarrier member 108. A spring force of cam 142 may bias cam 142 such thatportion thereof extends through a corresponding opening 140 of carriermember 108. While chassis drawer 102 is translated from an open positionto a closed position, cam 142 may be rotated via mechanical interactionof guide flanges of inner member 104 with an end of cam 142 extendingthrough opening 140. Such rotation may cause an opposite end of cam 142to engage with cam 148 of inner member 104 (e.g. near opening 150), thusrestricting movement of carrier member 108 relative to intermediatemember 106 in the outward direction of chassis drawer 102. Accordingly,when chassis drawer 102 is translated from a closed position to an openposition, cam 142 may remain engaged with cam 148 until such time ascarrier member 108 is withdrawn sufficiently so as to allow cam 142 torotate through opening 140 to its spring-biased position, such thatchassis member 108 is movable relative to intermediate member 106.

Also, as depicted in FIG. 4, openings 132 and/or 136 may be sloped sothat as chassis drawer 102 is opened, the engagement of bearings 134and/or 138 with openings 132 and/or 136, respectively, may cause carriermember 108 to tilt slightly upward from chassis 100 to face 110, inorder to counteract the downward force caused by the weight of chassisdrawer 102 and the various information handling resources disposedtherein.

In the embodiments represented by FIG. 6, carrier spine 120 may includea substantially planar center member 122 and two flanges 124 generallyperpendicular to center member 122 and projecting from each other on atop edge of center member 122 and two flanges 124 generallyperpendicular to center member 122 and projecting from each other on abottom edge of center member 122, the bottom edge opposite the top edge.Accordingly, carrier spine 120 may be structurally similar to an I-beam.In some embodiments, center member 122 and flanges 124 may be formedfrom the same piece of material. In other embodiments, center member 122and flanges 124 may be formed from different pieces of material. Forexample, in some embodiments, carrier spine 120 may be constructed oftwo U-shaped pieces configured back to back and attached to each othervia adhesive and/or mechanical fasteners. In these and otherembodiments, flanges 124 may include one or more openings for receivingmechanical fasteners to mechanically couple flanges 124 to top 114 orbottom 116 via corresponding openings in top 114 or bottom 116.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, a backplane 126 may be mechanically coupled tocarrier spine 120. Backplane 126 may comprise any system, device, orapparatus configured to interconnect modular information handlingresources inserted into bays 112 (e.g., hard disk drives) with eachother and/or to other information handling resources of chassis 100.Accordingly, backplane 126 may include slots 128 and/or other connectorsconfigured to receive corresponding electrical connectors of informationhandling resources in order to electrically couple information handlingresources inserted into bays 112 to backplane 126. In some embodiments,backplane 126 may be configured to receive information handlingresources on each side of center member 122, such that informationhandling resources on opposite sides of center member 122 are oriented“back-to-back” with respect to each other. In these and otherembodiments, backplane 126 may comprise either a single printed circuitboard coupled to center spine 120 with slots 128 mounted to each side ormay comprise two electrically separate printed circuit boards coupled tocenter spine 120 in a back-to-back manner with slots 128 mounted on eachprinted circuit board. In some embodiments, one or more printed circuitboards comprising backplane 126 may form all or a portion of centermember 122 and may comprise all or a portion of the mechanical structurefor supporting the various flanges 124 of carrier spine 120.

In some embodiments, all slots 128 of backplane 126 may be configured toreceive identical or similar information handling resources havingsubstantially similar form factors and/or functionality (e.g., 2.5-inchhard disk drives). In other embodiments, some slots 128 may beconfigured to receive an information handling resource different in formfactor and/or functionality than that for which another slot 128 isconfigured.

As shown in FIG. 2, chassis drawer 102 may have an interface connector118 configured to electrically couple to backplane 126 when chassisdrawer 102 is closed thus providing electrical coupling betweeninformation handling resources disposed in bays 112 and otherinformation handling resources of chassis 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, carrier member 108 may have a plurality of bays 112opening to each side of carrier member 108. Each of such bays 112 may bedefined by an associated backplane 126 and one or more structuralelements of carrier member 108. Accordingly, a bay 112 may include asuitable combination of structural elements configured to mechanicallymate with an information handling resource to allow components of theinformation handling resource to electrically couple to backplane 126when such information handling resource is received into the bay 112. Abay 112 may also be configured to allow modular information handlingresources to be easily inserted and removed from the bay 112 as desiredby a user.

Although carrier member 108 may be constructed so as to support anysuitable arrangement of bays 112, in the embodiments represented byFIGS. 2 and 4, carrier member 108 is configured with 16 bays 112, eighton each side of carrier spine 120 and arranged on each side of carrierspine 120 such that two drives may be oriented one over the other ineach of four openings.

In some embodiments, all bays 112 of carrier member 108 may beconfigured to receive identical or similar information handlingresources having substantially similar form factors and/or functionality(e.g., 2.5-inch hard disk drives). In other embodiments, some bays 112may be configured to receive an information handling resource differentin form factor and/or functionality than that for which another bay 112is configured.

Accordingly, drawer 102 may be drawn open allowing full-extension ofcarrier member 108 such that a person may access bays 112 to add and/orremove information handling resources from drawer 102. In addition,drawer 102 may be closed such that carrier member 108 is substantiallytelescoped within the depth of inner member 104 such that face 110 isgenerally parallel with a side of chassis 100.

One or more advantages of chassis drawer 102 may be illustrated byreferring to drawer slide 10 depicted in FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 24,traditional full-extension drawer slides comprise an inner member 12, anintermediate member 14, and an external member 16. Typically, whencoupled to a drawer, external member 16 runs a substantial portion ofthe depth of the side of the drawer. Thus, such an arrangement wouldmake a drawer with side access to contents of the drawer difficult toconstruct, as the sides would need to be made larger in height toaccommodate both the drawer slide and access to contents.Advantageously, chassis drawer 102 as described herein provides for fullextension of a drawer, while essentially moving most of the structuralsupport provided by an external member of a drawer slide to carrierspine 120 of chassis drawer 102, thus providing access to the sides ofchassis drawer 102 while maintaining height of chassis drawer 102substantially equal to that of the information handling resources to beinstalled in chassis drawer 102.

As described above, backplane 126 may be configured in any suitablemanner for receiving information handling resources on each of the twosides of backplane 126. Examples of various embodiments of backplane 126are described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 7-14.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of an examplebackplane 126, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.In the example shown in FIG. 7, backplane 126 may comprise two printedcircuit boards each having slots 128 mounted to a surface thereof. Suchprinted circuit boards may be oriented back to back, such that modularinformation handling resources may be inserted on the opposite sides ofbackplane 126.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of another examplebackplane 126, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.In the example shown in FIG. 8, backplane 126 may comprise a singleprinted circuit board having slots 128 mounted to each surface thereof.Thus, by using a single printed circuit board, rather than two printedcircuit boards as shown in FIG. 7, the example backplane 126 of FIG. 8may conserve space and/or may be less costly to produce. In order toaccommodate information handling resources of a similar form factor inthe slots 128 mounted to each surface, slots 128 on a first surface ofthe printed circuit board may be offset from adjacent slots 128 on anopposite second surface of the second printed circuit board such thatmounting features of each slot 128 may pass through backplane 126. Inaddition, slots 128 on the first surface of the first printed circuitboard, in addition to being offset from adjacent slots 128 on theopposite second surface of the second printed circuit board, may also berotated approximately 180 degrees from adjacent slots 128 on theopposite second surface. Such rotation of slots 128 may be useful forinformation handling resources having connectors configured to mate withslots 128, wherein such connectors are arranged along only a portion ofa rear edge of such information handling resource, thus potentiallyreducing the physical height required by the example backplane 126depicted in FIG. 8 over embodiments in which such rotation is notemployed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of yet anotherexample backplane 126, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 9, backplane 126 may comprisetwo or more printed circuit boards each having slots 128 mounted to asurface thereof. In addition, the two or more printed circuit boards ofbackplane 126 may be oriented and/or may have openings formed thereinsuch that as so oriented, the printed circuit boards define openings inbackplane 126 allowing slots 128 to pass through such that the printedcircuit boards and their slots 128 are in a nested, overlappingconfiguration within each other, rather than a non-overlappingconfiguration, such as that depicted in FIG. 7. In other words, in theexample backplane 126 of FIG. 9, backplane 126 includes at least a firstprinted circuit board and a second printed circuit board, the firstprinted circuit board having at least a first slot 128 mounted to afirst surface of the first printed circuit board and the second printedcircuit board having at least a second slot 128 mounted to a secondsurface of the second printed circuit board. The first printed circuitboard and the second printed circuit board are arranged such that thefirst slot passes through a plane defined by the second surface and thesecond slot passes through a plane defined by the first surface. Exampleembodiments of backplane 126 depicted in FIG. 9 are illustrated in FIGS.10-13.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of selected components ofparticular embodiments of the example backplane 126 depicted in FIG. 9,in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates aperspective view of the example backplane 126 depicted in FIG. 9implementing the particular embodiments depicted in FIG. 10, inaccordance with the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,backplane 126 may comprise two printed circuit boards 170 each havingslots 128 mounted to a surface thereof and having one or more openings172 formed therein. The two printed circuit boards may be orientedrelative to each other such that slots 128 on one of the printed circuitboards 170 may pass through openings 172 of the other printed circuitboard 170, and vice versa, as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of selected components of otherparticular embodiments of the example backplane 126 depicted in FIG. 9,in accordance with the present disclosure. In the particular embodimentsrepresented by FIG. 12, backplane 126 may comprise two printed circuitboards 174 (for clarity of exposition, only one printed circuit board174 is depicted in FIG. 12). Each printed circuit board 174 may comprisea plurality of forks 176 each having one or more slots 128 mounted to asurface thereof and the various forks 176 defining openings 177. The twoprinted circuit boards may be oriented relative to each other such thatslots 128 on one of the printed circuit boards 174 may pass throughopenings 177 of the other printed circuit board 174, and vice versa, ina manner similar to that shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of selected components of yetother particular embodiments of the example backplane 126 depicted inFIG. 9, in accordance with the present disclosure. In the particularembodiments represented by FIG. 13, backplane 126 may comprise two ormore printed circuit boards 178 (for clarity of exposition, only twoprinted circuit boards 178 having substantially co-planar surfaces withslots 128 mounted to such surfaces are shown in FIG. 13). The two ormore printed circuit boards may be oriented relative to each other suchthat slots 128 on one of the printed circuit boards 178 may pass througha plane defined by the mounting surface of the other printed circuitboard 178, and vice versa, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 11.

In the embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 9-13, in orderto accommodate information handling resources of a similar form factorin the slots 128 mounted to each side of backplane 126, slots 128 on oneprinted circuit board of backplane 126 may be offset from adjacent slots128 on an opposite printed circuit board of backplane 126. In addition,slots 128 on one printed circuit board of backplane 126, in addition tobeing offset from adjacent slots 128 on the opposite printed circuitboard of backplane 126, may also be rotated approximately 180 degreesfrom adjacent slots 128 of the opposite printed circuit board. Suchrotation of slots 128 may be useful for information handling resourceshaving connectors configured to mate with slots 128, wherein suchconnectors are arranged along only a portion of a rear edge of suchinformation handling resource, thus potentially reducing the physicalheight required by the example backplane 126 depicted in FIG. 9-13 overembodiments in which such rotation is not employed.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of selected components of yetanother example backplane 126, in accordance with the presentdisclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 14, backplane 126 may comprisea single printed circuit board 180. Printed circuit board 180 may have aplurality of openings 184 formed in recessed areas below the surfaces oneach side of printed circuit board 180 wherein slots 128 may be mounted.For example, printed circuit board layers may be omitted or removed inthose areas in which slots 128 reside. In order to accommodateinformation handling resources of a similar form factor in oppositefacing slots 128 of printed circuit board 180, slots 128 facing a firstdirection on printed circuit board 180 may be offset from oppositefacing adjacent slots 128. In addition, slots 128 facing a firstdirection, in addition to being offset from opposite facing adjacentslots 128, may also be rotated approximately 180 degrees from oppositefacing adjacent slots 128. Such rotation of slots 128 may be useful forinformation handling resources having connectors configured to mate withslots 128, wherein such connectors are arranged along only a portion ofa rear edge of such information handling resource, thus potentiallyreducing the physical height required by the example backplane 126depicted in FIG. 14 over embodiments in which such rotation is notemployed.

The various embodiments depicted in FIGS. 9-14 may have furtheradvantages over the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. For example,the embodiments represented by FIGS. 9-14 may provide a more compactlayout of backplane 126, slots 128, and information handling resourcesthan the embodiments represented by FIGS. 7 and 8.

As described above, chassis drawer 102 may be utilized in order toprovide for addition and removal of information handling resources fromchassis 100. To illustrate addition and removal of an informationhandling resource from a bay 112 defined by chassis drawer 102,reference is made to FIGS. 15-19. FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective viewof selected components of chassis drawer 102 for inserting and removingan information handling resource from an individual bay 112 of chassisdrawer 102, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.FIGS. 16-19 illustrate various perspective views of selected componentsof chassis drawer 102 depicting insertion of an information handlingresource into an individual bay 112 of chassis drawer 102, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 15-19, chassis drawer 102 may include a plurality ofsupport members 202, such that laterally adjacent bays 112 (e.g., bays112 adjacent in a direction of the depth of carrier member 108) areseparated by a support member 202. In addition, each support member 202may have a plurality of guide flanges 214 for mechanically guiding aninformation handling resource into and out of a bay 112. In someembodiments, vertically adjacent bays 112 (e.g., bays 112 adjacent in adirection of the height of chassis drawer 102) may be separated by oneor more guide flanges 214. Accordingly, support members 202 and theirvarious guide flanges 214 (as well as, in some embodiments, backplane126 and slots 128) may be appropriately sized, shaped, and arrangedrelative to each other so as to define the plurality of bays 112.

A support member 202 may have mechanically coupled thereto a slider 208and slider bearings 204. A slider 208 may comprise one or more openings224 configured to engage with bearings 204 such that slider 208 may movein and out of bay 112 substantially in a direction of the width ofchassis drawer 102, with such movement limited by the size of openings224. A support member 202 of a bay 112 may also comprise one or morevibrational dampers 212 such that the one or more vibrational dampers212 are opposite a slider 208 mechanically coupled to an opposingsupport member 202 defining the same bay 112. As their name suggests,vibrational dampers 212 may dampen vibration generated by an informationhandling resource disposed in a bay 112 and/or generated elsewhere inchassis 100.

As shown in FIG. 17, an ejection spring 222 may be coupled betweensupport member 202 and slider 208 such that the spring force of ejectionspring 222 biases slider 208 to a particular position relative tosupport member 202 in the absence of force other than the spring forceof ejection spring 222.

As shown in FIG. 16, an information handling resource 220 (e.g., a harddisk drive) may be inserted into a bay 112, where its vertical andlateral movement may be restricted by guide flanges 214, slider 208,and/or vibrational dampers 212 such that information handling resource220 moves substantially in the direction of the width of chassis drawer102. During insertion, a force may be applied (e.g., by a person) totranslate the information handling resource into a bay 112 until suchtime as information handling resource 220 mechanically engages with aslide flange 216 of slider 208.

After information handling resource 220 engages with slide flange 216,the force inserting information handling resource 220 into bay 112 mayalso cause slider 208 to slide about bearings 204 of support member 202in the same direction of the motion of information handling resource220, provided that such force is greater than the spring force ofejection spring 222.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, support member 202 may include a retentionspring 225. Retention spring 225 may be mechanically coupled to slider208 such that as slider 208 slides relative to support member 202, themotion of retention spring 225 in the direction of motion of slider 208is fixed relative to slider 208. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, slider 208may include a retention spring opening 227 configured to receive aflange 226 of retention spring 225. Retention spring 225 may have aspring force such that in the absence of forces other than the springforce, retention spring 225 is biased such that flange 226 does notengage with retention spring opening 227. However, support member 202may include a spring engagement feature 229 (e.g., a structural contourformed in support member 202) configured to overcome the spring force,such that as slider 208 is translated during insertion of informationhandling resource 220, flange 226 engages with retention spring opening227. Accordingly, as information handling resource 220 is inserted intobay 112 and causes slider 208 to translate relative to support member202, flange 226 of retention spring 225 may engage with a correspondingfeature (e.g., an opening) present on information handling resource 220,thereby preventing or reducing motion of information handling resource220 relative to slider 208 while flange 226 is engaged with suchopening.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, slider 208 may also include a slider post209 coupled thereto and projecting therefrom. In addition, supportmember 202 may have mechanically coupled thereto a release latch 210 andbearings 206. Release latch 210 may comprise one or more openings 228configured to engage with bearings 206 such that slider 208 may movesubstantially in a direction of the height of chassis drawer 102, withsuch movement limited by the size of openings 228.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, a latch return spring 230 may be coupledbetween support member 202 and release latch 210 such that the springforce of latch return spring 230 biases slider release latch 210 to aparticular position relative to support member 202 in the absence offorce other than the spring force of latch return spring 230.

As information handling resource 220 is further inserted into bay 112causing further translation of slider 208, slider post 209 may engagewith release latch 210, such that the force of engagement betweenrelease latch 210 and slider post 209 overcomes the spring force ofejection spring 222, thus locking slider 208 (and likewise informationhandling resource 220) into a fixed position relative to support member202, as depicted in FIG. 19. For example, in some embodiments releaselatch 210 may have a projection 231 appropriately sized and shaped suchthat as information handling resource 220 is inserted, slider post 209engages with a slope of projection 231 that causes release latch 210 tomove in a direction opposite of the spring force of latch return spring230 and then engages with a valley of projection 231 such that thespring force of latch return spring 230 causes release latch 210 toreturn to its original position and engage with latch post 209 toprevent the spring force of ejection spring 222 from ejecting slider208. In some embodiments, as slider post 209 engages with release latch210, information handling resource 220 may engage with a slot 128, thuselectrically coupling information handling resource 220 to backplane126.

To remove information handling resource 220 from bay 112, a user mayactuate release latch 210, for example, by applying a downward force onrelease latch flange 233 in a direction opposite to the spring force oflatch return spring 230. As a result of such actuation, slider post 209may disengage from release latch 210, causing slider 208 to eject underthe force of ejection spring 222. As slider 208 translates under theforce of ejection spring 222, the force of retention spring 225 causesflange 226 to disengage from information handling resource 220. As aresult, information handling resource 220 may be partially ejected frombay 112, allowing a user to continue removal of information handlingresource 220 by applying the necessary force.

Although chassis drawer 102 as described above may provide manyadvantages in terms of cost, density, and other factors, installationsof a chassis may exist rendering usage of chassis drawer 102impractical. For example, if a chassis were placed in a corner of aroom, a wall of the room may prevent physical access to the sides ofchassis drawer 102, thus preventing access to bays 112 for addition andremoval of information handling resources. FIGS. 20-23 depict variousselected components of a chassis drawer 302 for receiving modularinformation handling resources.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of a chassis drawer 301 forreceiving modular information handling resources, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 20, chassisdrawer 301 may comprise a plurality of information handling resourcecaddies 302, a drawer cover 308, a drawer sleeve 310, and a caddy tray316.

Caddy tray 316 may be constructed from steel, aluminum, plastic, and/orany other suitable material. Although caddy tray 316 may have anysuitable size and/or shape, caddy tray 316 is depicted in theembodiments of FIG. 20 as having a substantially planar bottom 318defining a width and depth of caddy tray 316. Caddy tray 316 may alsoinclude a face 320 mechanically affixed to bottom 318. Face 320 may besubstantially planar and may further be generally perpendicular tobottom 318.

In some embodiments, face 320 may be substantially equal to the width ofcaddy tray 316 and may define a height of caddy tray 316. In these andother embodiments, face 320 may include handles, pull tabs, and/or otherfeatures allowing a person to pull on face 320 in order to translatechassis drawer 301 from a closed position to an open position in adirection generally parallel to the depth of bottom 318. In these andother embodiments, face 320 may include a grill, vent, and/or otheropening allowing gaseous fluid to enter and/or exit through face 320.

Caddy tray 316 may be adapted to hold and structurally support one ormore caddies 302 and information handling resources 220 disposed in suchcaddies 302. A caddy 302 may be coupled to caddy tray 316 via a hinge305. Hinge 305 may be located along an edge of bottom 318 and may havean axis generally parallel to the depth of caddy tray 316. Thus, a caddy302 may pivot about hinge 305 relative to caddy tray 316. In theembodiments represented by FIG. 20, a caddy tray 316 may have coupledthereto two opposite facing caddies 302, such that when pivoted abouttheir respective hinges 304, caddies 302 rotate about generally parallelaxes, but in opposite radial directions.

As also shown in FIG. 20, a caddy 302 may have a bearing 304 configuredto engage with a corresponding arcuate opening 306 of face 320.Accordingly, the size of opening 306 may limit the radial motion of acaddy 302 about its corresponding hinge 305. In addition, opening 306may include a downward projection 307 or other mechanical structure inwhich bearing 304 may rest in order to allow caddy 302 to remain in anopen position while the bays 330 of such caddy 302 are accessed.

Chassis drawer 301 may also include a drawer cover 308 fixedly coupledto caddy tray 316. Drawer cover 308 may also be slidably coupled todrawer sleeve 310 fixedly coupled to a chassis (e.g., chassis 100) suchthat drawer 308 (and caddy tray 316 fixedly coupled thereto) may sliderelative to drawer sleeve 310 in a direction generally parallel to thedepth of caddy tray 316 to translate chassis drawer 301 between an openposition relative to the chassis and a closed position (e.g., in whichface 320 is substantially flush or even with a side of the chassis). Insome embodiments, drawer sleeve 310 may include flanges 311 or otherstructural elements for guiding the motion of drawer cover 308 and/orcaddy tray 316 relative to drawer sleeve 310.

Further, chassis drawer 301 may have one or more interface connectors309 configured to electrically couple to backplane 326 (depicted ingreater detail in FIGS. 21-23) thus providing electrical couplingbetween information handling resources 220 disposed in caddies 302 andother information handling resources of a chassis.

Accordingly, in the embodiments represented by FIG. 20, drawer 301 mayallow a user to slide drawer 301 from a chassis and access drives from atop of drawer 301 by appropriately applying force to a caddy 302 (e.g.,via bearing 304) to rotate such caddy 302 to expose bays 330 thereof.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a perspective view and a side view,respectively, of a caddy 302, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a backplane 326 may bemechanically coupled to caddy 302. Backplane 326 may comprise anysystem, device, or apparatus configured to interconnect modularinformation handling resources inserted into bays 330 of caddy 302(e.g., hard disk drives) with each other and/or to other informationhandling resources of a chassis. Accordingly, backplane 326 may includeslots 328 and/or other connectors configured to receive correspondingelectrical connectors of information handling resources in order toelectrically couple information handling resources inserted into bays330 to backplane 326. In some embodiments, backplane 326 may havestructure and/or functionality identical or similar to that of backplane126 described above.

In some embodiments, all slots 328 of backplane 326 may be configured toreceive identical or similar information handling resources havingsubstantially similar form factors and/or functionality (e.g., 2.5-inchhard disk drives). In other embodiments, some slots 328 may beconfigured to receive an information handling resource different in formfactor and/or functionality than that for which another slot 328 isconfigured. In these and other embodiments, slots 328 may have structureand/or functionality identical or similar to that of slots 128 describedabove.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, one or more structural features of caddy302 may define the plurality of bays 330 for receiving informationhandling resources 220. For example, caddy 302 may include a pluralityof support members 312, such that laterally adjacent bays 330 (e.g.,bays 330 adjacent in a direction of the depth of caddy tray 316) areseparated by a support member 312. In addition, each support member 312may have a plurality of structural features (e.g., guide flanges) formechanically guiding an information handling resource 220 into and outof a bay 330. In some embodiments, vertically adjacent bays 330 (e.g.,bays 330 adjacent in a direction of the height of face 320) may beseparated by one or more structural features (e.g., guide flanges). Inaddition, bays 330 may be defined by an associated backplane 326 inaddition to one or more structural elements of caddy 302. Accordingly, abay 330 may include a suitable combination of structural elementsconfigured to mechanically mate with an information handling resource220 to allow components of the information handling resource 220 toelectrically couple to backplane 326 when such information handlingresource is received into the bay 330. A bay 330 may also be configuredto allow modular information handling resources 220 to be easilyinserted and removed from the bay 330 as desired by a user.

Although caddy 302 may be constructed so as to support any suitablearrangement of bays 330, in the embodiments represented by FIGS. 20-22,caddy 302 is configured with eight bays 330, such that two drives may beoriented one over the other in each of four openings.

In some embodiments, all bays 330 of caddy 302 may be configured toreceive identical or similar information handling resources 220 havingsubstantially similar form factors and/or functionality (e.g., 2.5-inchhard disk drives). In other embodiments, some bays 330 may be configuredto receive an information handling resource 220 different in form factorand/or functionality than that for which another bay 330 is configured.

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a backplane 326, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 23,backplane 326 may include a tail 314 for carrying conductive traces forelectrically coupling slots 328 to one or more other informationresources of a chassis.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations canbe made hereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of thedisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A backplane for electrically coupling modularinformation handling resources to one or more other information handlingresources, comprising: a first printed circuit board having a firstsurface with at least one first slot mounted thereon; and a secondprinted circuit board having a second surface with at least one secondslot mounted thereon; wherein the first printed circuit board and thesecond printed circuit board are arranged such that the at least onefirst slot passes through a plane defined by the second surface and theat least one second slot passes through a plane defined by the firstsurface.
 3. The backplane of claim 2, wherein: the first printed circuitboard has at least one first opening configured to receive the at leastone second slot; the second printed circuit board has at least onesecond opening configured to receive the at least one first slot; andthe first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board arearranged such that the at least one first slot passes through the atleast one second opening and the at least one second slot passes throughthe at least one first opening.
 4. The backplane of claim 2, wherein:the first printed circuit board has a plurality of first forks defininga plurality of first openings, each of the first forks having mountedthereon at least one first slot; the second printed circuit board has aplurality of second forks defining a plurality of second openings, eachof the second forks having mounted thereon at least one second slot; andthe first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board arearranged such that the at least one first slot passes through the atleast one second opening and the at least one second slot passes throughthe at least one first opening.
 5. The backplane of claim 2, whereineach of the second plurality of slots are offset from an adjacent slotof the first plurality of slots in a direction parallel to a planedefined by the first surface.
 6. The backplane of claim 2, wherein eachof the second plurality of slots are rotated approximately 180 degreesfrom an adjacent slot of the first plurality of slots.
 7. A backplanefor electrically coupling modular information handling resources to oneor more other information handling resources, comprising: a printedcircuit board having a surface; a plurality of openings formed in thesurface; and a plurality of slots mounted to the printed circuit boardwithin the plurality of openings. 8.-9. (canceled)
 10. The backplane ofclaim 7, wherein each of the plurality of openings comprise recessedareas formed below the surface. 11.-13. (canceled)
 14. The backplane ofclaim 10, the plurality of openings formed by omitting one or morelayers of the printed circuit board during construction of the printedcircuit board at a location corresponding to the plurality of openings.15. The backplane of claim 10, the plurality of openings formed byremoving one or more layers of the printed circuit board duringconstruction of the printed circuit board at a location corresponding tothe plurality of openings.
 16. A method, comprising: providing a printedcircuit board having a surface; forming a plurality of openings in thesurface; and mounting a plurality of slots to the printed circuit boardwithin the plurality of openings.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereineach of the plurality of openings comprise recessed areas formed belowthe surface.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein forming the pluralityof openings comprises omitting one or more layers of the printed circuitboard during construction of the printed circuit board at a locationcorresponding to the plurality of openings.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein forming the plurality of openings comprises removing one or morelayers of the printed circuit board during construction of the printedcircuit board at a location corresponding to the plurality of openings.